MPX Update

As anyone who has been following this blog knows, I have developed a strong desire for the yet to be released Motorola Mpx Pocket PC Phone above.)

This teeny engineering marvel reminds me of one of my favorite computers that I owned: The IBM ThinkPad 701C that retailed for $5149 (Check these specs out: 486DX2/50, 8 MB RAM , and a 540-MB drive)

Here is an old school animated GIF I found...look how the keyboard tucks itself into the case when you close it..now THAT'S cool! (Apologies in advance for the geo cites-like inclusion of the animated GIF)

Working at Microsoft you meet a lot of very cool people. Last week I met one of the PR managers in the Windows Mobile division. When I asked him if he ever saw an MPX, he said "Yea, once or twice..follow me." Back to his office we went, and he tossed not one..but TWO MPX's on his desk! Who hoo! He had a couple boxes in his office FILLED with phones, chargers, adapters etc. He also pulled out some phones that are still under development, and have not been released...so I was in heaven. The MPX was just as I thought it would be: dead sexy cool. The hinging mechanism was very neat to play with as I switched it from flip phone mode to side ways mode (for lack of a better term) The keyboard felt just right, and it was indeed a thing of beauty. I hope to get over there next week to take some digital photos of that, and any other phones he’ll let me talk about.

We celebrate the 50th Gamer Spotlight

Xbox Live's TriXie, who does a lot of writing about the cool stuff in the Xbox community, just posted the (insert fanfare) 50th Gamer Spotlight! Head on over to Xbox.com to read the interview with the winner and to see the cool photos.

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Star Wars Battlefront

If you follow my blog, you know I have been really excited about the Star Wars: Battlefront. I am pleased to say I played more the past couple of days, and I really really like it. On one level tonight, I was playing on the Imperial side driving an ATAT (the big mechanical walker.) On my surround system, I could hear the gears driving away as I drove it…it felt like I was actually inside the beast..and it felt it. You get to fight in all the famous Star Wars battle scenes which is amazing. I have not tested the Live portion of this…but the offline play is a lot of fun. I have grabbed a bunch of people on the Xbox team to look at it and everyone has the same response: WOW. In case you can't tell..I *LOVE* this game.

Sonic Mega Collection Plus coming to Xbox

He's big, he's blue and he's coming to the 'box. The Sonic Mega Collection Plus ships in November for $19.95 and it looks to be the ultimate collection for Sonic fans. Not sure what Live support it will have (if at all) but this looks to be a great way to get in the way back machine and soak up the Sonic style.

Here's what the line-up looks like :

Sonic The Hedgehog (Sega Genesis)
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (Sega Genesis)
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (Sega Genesis)
Sonic & Knuckles (Sega Genesis)
Sonic 3D Blast (Sega Genesis, Saturn)
Sonic The Hedgehog Spinball (Sega Genesis)
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (Sega Genesis)
Sonic & Knuckles lock-on: Sonic The Hedgehog 2
Sonic & Knuckles lock-on: Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Sonic & Knuckles lock-on: Blue Spheres
The Ooze
Comix Zone
Flicky
Ristar
Sonic the Hedgehog (Game Gear)
Sonic Chaos (Game Gear)
Sonic Drift (Game Gear)
Sonic Labyrinth (Game Gear)
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (Game Gear)
Sonic Blast (Game Gear)

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Is my blog too dark?

Let me know what you think via the poll over in the right column.

Mystery Gamer Tonight

Join the Xbox Live Mystery Gamer tonight after 7pm ET/4pm PT. This week the Mystery Gamer takes to the air in Crimson Skies. Look for the gamertag XboxLive...and you could win a cool Xbox T-shirt.

Why I don't have comments active on my blog.

Many folks have asked why I don't have the abiltiy for readers to leave comments on my blog. It's pretty simple...the best way to interact with me is via the Xbox Forums. I hang out there an post and answer questions regularly. I really don't need ANOTHER place to answer questions ;)

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Ninja Gaiden Hurricane Pack Now Available

Ninja Gaiden: Hurricane Pack Vol. 1 is now available for download. You get a new camera system, new “action engine”, a new weapon, new costumes, new enemies, and much more. You can also submit your score to the Master Ninja Tournament and possibly earn a trip to Japan to compete in the finals. (Mental note: pick up a DOA pillow while in Japan.)

Keep in mind that you can download the Hurricane Pack without participating in the tournament..so be sure to register!

Details about Master Ninja Tournament

Direct link to sign up for the Tournament

Happy Madden Day!

Madden 2005 hits the stores this week, and we are starting to see members on the service who already have it in their Xbox!
It was only three months ago that we announced EA was coming to Xbox Live...so this was a huge effort by both teams to get the both Madden and NCAA (that shipped last month) on Live in such a short period of time. Have fun.

Get your photo on real US Stamps

This is kinda creepy. How long until someone decides to try and make their favorite naked photos into stamps?

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Where to buy Xbox stuff

A lot of Xbox Live members ask me where to buy Xbox shirts, hats etc.
Now you can buy cool Xbox stuff without leaving your house.

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While I am posting on Japanese bedroom accessories

And to match your Katsumi pillow from the DOA package below, how about a piece of wood that is really a digital clock. Who else is has ingenious as the Japanese? (Ok, maybe the Swedes...it does look a little Ikea-like.)

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Getting in bed with DOA Ultimate

Our Japanese friends get another cool promotion! This time it's around Techmo's Dead or Alive Ultimate. For a cool 24,000 Yen (around US$ 210) you can pick up a cool blue console (above) matching S controller, 12 month subscription to Live and of course your own inflatable Kasumi body pillow. Talk about getting into bed with customers (insert rimshot.)

Plan your trip to the Ginza accordingly, as it's available starting in October.

Star Wars: Battlefront

This is one game I can't wait for. I was able to play an early build for about 10-minutes and it was amazing. I was playing on Tatooine as a storm trooper and it was very very cool. You jump right into battle and drive, fly and shoot pretty much anything you can get your hands on. I was not able to play an entire level, but I had a blast just shooting thing up. Also, since I saw the original Star Wars in 1977...I have always wanted to fly a TIE fighter...and I did in SW:BF. You'd be surprised how they handle. While it's squad based, it did not feel cumbersome and the action was FAST.

Due out September 21st this is the perfect game to keep you busy until oh, say 11/9.

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